The mountain retreat filled with magic became Feyre's hiding place after finding out that Rhys was her mate.

She.was.pissed.

Mostly because everyone else knew but her. And she hadn't felt it, other than having an attraction to him that made her feel guilt. But those days on her own, in silence, doing nothing but painting (again. Finally) she came to terms with the thought of being his mate.

And then the knock at the door, revealing Rhys in all his winged glory.

Thank goodness he threw away caution and flew to the house. None of us could take it anymore...am I right?!

The soup...making a meal for her mate. Something so simple and yet so meaningful was a precious opening to the relationship.

And then he slowly starts breaking our hearts.

So, chapter 54 is where it all happens for me. All you chapter 55 purists, the ones who think the paint, the personal feast, the tub, glowing with happiness...are the feels, well, they are but not without 54.

I propose to you that even though we already loved Rhys, hated Tamlin and WANTED Feysand to happen finally, it wouldn't have nearly the depth of emotion and meaning without the confession he makes beforehand.

I know you agree.

The early war and being held captive to watch Amarantha's terror was horrible for him.

But that wasn't what shook me. Not even close.

The horrific death of his family by the hands of the Spring Court tore at my heart. It gave me a new level of hatred for Tamlin. And even Feyre was horrified that she had believed anything Tamlin had said.

But he hadn't even gotten to the major mind melt that was about to happen.

Knowing that his plan had been to kill Amarantha at the party, only to be drugged on her wine and realized in the last seconds what was happening. Using his magic to protect his friends (ahem...family) and Velaris without trying to save himself. Allowing himself to be violated year after year, with no end in sight, to continue to keep those he loved from harm. Yeah that got me, a lot.

But little did I know what was about to go down.

Three years.

He had dreams of her for three years. He sent her the night sky and stars to paint. He smelled her. He knew she was having nightmares and struggling. He knew she was at his enemies Court. This put my jaw on the floor and it hasn't returned to an upright position since.

Calanmi...dear lord, Calanmi. I had to go back and reread all of that. Every part that Rhys appeared in took on an entirely new meaning.

For all things holy, he left her there TO PROTECT HER!!!

He scared the crap out of Tam to GET HER OUT OF PRYTHIAN!!

He walked away, knowing she was "in love" with Tam, knowing she was meant for him instead, so that she wouldn't be tortured by Amarantha.

Claire Beddore was a mistake that tore him up. Even though he took her pain away.

But...under the mountain almost killed me. It almost killed him. It did kill her.

In ACOTAR it seemed that the other High Lords were so moved by Tamlins loss and Feyre's sacrifice that they willingly gave some of their power to save her. But it was all Rhys, of course, that created the high Fae Feyre.

But then she went back to Tamlin.

Even with the knowledge of the bargain tying them together, Rhys would willingly let her return to that SOB so that she would be happy.

I knew it meant something major when he stumbled back as he disappeared. But I didn't think - mating bond.

And they are mates.

Finally. The tension is put to good use.

And...wow. Just OMG a hundred times wow. How else would the most powerful high Lord to ever exist seal his love with his mate, his equal, his heart. It could only be epic, of a magnitude that no one could duplicate.

Like I said earlier, paint, feasting, magic tubs and wingspan, darkness and light intermingling, glowing, and that final position.

Rhys was as vulnerable as he could possibly be with the only Fae who had deserved him. Two saviors of their people. Two powerful Fae. Two equal souls.

Two chapters brought this on in me, people. Two of the freaking best chapters I have ever read, and possibly will ever read...

That is until ACOWAR.